Verbena plant named `Perlena`

ABSTRACT

A new Verbena plant particularly distinguished by its large silvery pink flower, early flowering, and a semi-erect habit that becomes spreading as plant develops.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of Verbena, botanically known as Verbena×hybrida. The new cultivar is propagated from cuttings resulting from the cross of W802 and T1183. W802 is a magenta flowering Verbena having a semi-erect habit. W802 is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. T1183 is a white flowering Verbena having a spreading habit. T1183 is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. Neither W802 or T1183 has been patented. As a result of this cross the present cultivar was created in 1995 in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and has been repeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and Sarrians, France over a two year period. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations, and this novelty appears to be firmly fixed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of this new Verbena. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Enkhuizen, Netherlands. The plant history was taken on plants that were 18 weeks old, blossomed under natural light in a greenhouse. Color readings were taken in the greenhouse under ambient light. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

This new Verbena plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographic drawings which show blooms, buds and foliage of the plant in full color, the color shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 depicts the spreading and hanging habit of the mature plant, while FIG. 2 provides a more detailed depiction of the blooms and foliage.

THE PLANT

Classification:

Botanical.--Verbena×hybrida.

Parentage:

Female parent.--A seedling named W802 is one of our seedlings from our W-generation of plants bred in 1994.

Pollen parent.--A seedling named T1183 is one of our seedlings from our T-generation of plants bred in 1991.

Growth habit: Semi-erect, later spreading.

Plant height: 25-35 cm.

Spreading area of plant: 70-100 cm.

Strength: Very good.

Branching character: After pinching, 6-8 breaks occur.

Blooming period: From April until November.

The Stem

Diameter: 1.5-2 mm.

Cross section: Tetragonal.

Anthocyan pigmentation: Absent.

Length of internode: 20-45 mm, depending on the light where the plant is grown. Under high light conditions, length is shorter; under darker conditions, length is longer.

Pubescence: Some pubescence is present.

The Foliage

Phyllotaxis: Opposite.

Shape of blade: Cleft to parted.

Length: 25-40 mm.

Width: 24-36 mm.

Depth of incision: 10-20 mm.

Number of incisions: Medium (5-8) per leaf.

Color:

Upper side.--Medium green 137A.

Lower side.--Light green 137C.

Pubescence: Some pubescence is present on both sides of the leaf.

Length of petiole: 10-15 mm.

Color of petiole: Medium green 137A.

The Bud

Peduncle length: 25-40 mm, depending on season.

Size:

Diameter.--2 mm.

Length.--8-12 mm.

Shape: Long.

Color: Medium green 141B.

Sepals:

Color.--Green 137C.

Form.--Upright.

The Flower

Direction: Ascending.

Diameter: 18-20 mm.

Height: 16-18 mm.

Borne: In a cluster.

Form: Flat and symmetrical.

Cluster: Corymb.

Color: Upper surface: Magenta 69B, later 69C Lower surface: Pink 69C.

Eye: A very small (2 mm) green-white eye (155C) is present with a darker pink center (58C).

Overlapping of petals: Separate.

Corymb:

Length.--25-45 mm.

Diameter.--25-45 mm.

Calyx: Length of 10-14 mm.

Anthocyan pigmentation of calyx limb: Absent.

Flowers in bloom at one time: Maximum 16.

Duration of flowering:

Flower.--4-6 days.

Inflorescence.--10-14 days.

No. of flowers per corymb: 20-30.

Fragrance: A very soft rosy-sweet fragrance.

Reproductive organs: 1 pistil, 5 stamens. Stamens sterile, no seedset.

Physiological and ecological characteristics. Strong resistance to pests and diseases, particularly powdery mildew. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Verbena plant, substantially as herein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by large silvery pink blooms, early flowering, and a growing habit that is first semi-erect but later spreading and hanging. 